THE SAD STORY OF ESMERELDA, WHO NEVER LEARNT TO SWIM
Esmerelda, fair and flighty
Went swimming in her new blue nightie.
But Esmerelda's rather dim
And quite forgot she couldn't swim.
A passing fireman heard her shout
For someone to come and pull her out.
But he, in spite of his vocation,
Had failed the right examination.
He cried, "I'll have to let you go.
They're health and safety rules, you know".
So Esme slipped, without a sound,
Back in the swimming pool. And drowned.
(With thanks to Tess at Magpie Tales for the picture)
Oh dear,as someone who can't swim I found this a very sad tale!Perhaps I should sign up for some swimming lessons!
ReplyDeleteSharp and cynical; well done...
ReplyDeleteOh, dear... how tragic.
ReplyDeleteyowch- poor Esme
ReplyDeleteBrilliant - Belloc lives!
ReplyDeleteSuperb!
ReplyDeleteWhat a drip she was.
ReplyDeleteGiven the incredible real-time juxtaposition of your latest magpie poem and the retirement of Pope Benedict XVI, nothing could be more appropriate than
ReplyDeletethis post of mine from May 2012. I just know you're going to love it!
Milligan, Belloc McGough....you have them all sorted here.
ReplyDeleteWonderful, Frances! I love the idea, Esme done it in her blue nightie. Bless her!
ReplyDeleteWhat a snappy tragic tale! lol
ReplyDeleteAn armless Venus and a dead Esmeralda. What cheerful topics but you deal with them with such panache. I do so enjoy your pomes (as rhymeswithplague would call them).
ReplyDeleteWasn't Esmeralda a duck? Or was it a duck that Quasimodo rescued from the stake. Sometimes it all gets a bit too much for me.
A nice cautionary tale in the classic tradition.
ReplyDeletenicely done indeed and thanks for sharing your words
ReplyDeleteHey! Hey! What a fresh twist of the prompt pic. I loved it!
ReplyDeleteOops! What a pathetic pair!
ReplyDelete